Egypt Watch

Aboul Fotouh’s family appeals to Sisi to release him

The family of the former presidential candidate and head of the Strong Egypt Party, Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, has issued a statement expressing its shock at the 15-year prison sentence imposed by a superior court.

The court’s rulings do not accept the appeal. Therefore, Aboul Fotouh cannot be released from prison unless the president issues a pardon decision, which his family demanded in its statement.

The Emergency Supreme State Security Criminal Court had sentenced Aboul Fotouh and the acting General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mahmoud Ezzat, and 23 others, to 15 years in prison. It also sentenced political activists Muhammad Al-Qassas and Moaz Al-Sharqawi to 10 years in prison. The court convicted the accused of crimes including leading and financing a terrorist group, possessing weapons and ammunition, promoting terrorist ideas, and deliberately broadcasting false news, statements and rumours at home and abroad.

Aboul Fotouh, 71, was arrested on February 14, 2018, days after his return from London. He appeared in media interviews in which he criticized the Egyptian authorities and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.